May 30 2013
ZMD AG (ZMDI), a Dresden-based semiconductor company that specializes in enabling energy efficient solutions, today announces the launch of the ZSSC3036, a leading-edge 16-bit sensor signal conditioning IC (SSC) with an integrated 18-bit digital signal processor (DSP) for linearization and calibration functions.
As a global supplier of analog and mixed signal solutions for automotive, industrial, medical, information technology and consumer applications, ZMDI has developed the ZSSC3036 to expand its family of 16-bit SSC ICs for calibrated resistive sensor modules.
Optimized for high-resolution industrial, consumer, and medical applications, this sensor interface IC combines the 18-bit DSP, high accuracy amplification, and 16-bit precision analog-to-digital conversion with special features for battery-driven low-power devices, including 900µA typical overall current consumption, ultra-low 50nA typical sleep mode current , and a 1.8 to 3.6V power supply range. It features an intelligent power-save scheme to ensure lowest overall current consumption and an internal sensor supply regulator with an excellent power supply rejection ratio (PSRR), eliminating the need for an external buffer capacitor. This makes it attractive for applications in harsh environments.
Digital compensation of signal offset, sensitivity, temperature and non-linearity is accomplished via an internal correction algorithm with coefficients stored on-chip in a highly reliable, nonvolatile, multiple-time programmable memory. Programming is simple via the ZSSC3036’s serial interface with the PC-controlled calibration software provided in ZMDI’s Development Kit. The measured and corrected bridge values are provided at the digital output pins as I2C™ (trademark of NXP) or SPI. The ZSSC3036 can also provide a corrected temperature output measured with an internal sensor.
With an almost noise-free 16-bit output signal, the ZSSC3036 allows designs for high precision measurement systems, including barometric altitude measurement for portable navigation or emergency call systems, altitude measurement for car navigation, pressure measurements inside hard disks, and weather forecasting equipment. Modern products, such as motion sensing equipment or multi-function sensor products, can greatly benefit from the ZSSC3036’s precision. High-precision medical applications include medical gas control, medical infusion pumps, ambulatory non-invasive pump systems, and occlusion detection systems.
“Energy-efficiency is what we do best. We designed the ZSSC3036 to provide our customers with the required resolution and accuracy for their next generation high-resolution products,” said Michael Georgi, Product Marketing Manager at ZMDI. “Unlike many available products today, the ZSSC3036 comes with internal signal correction and allows customers to minimize engineering efforts and costs.”
Features of the ZSSC3036:
- Wide operating temperature range:-40°C to 110°C
- Accuracy better than ±0.10% full-scale output
- Broad power supply range: 1.8 to 3.6 V
- Low overall current consumption: 900µA typical
- Sleep mode current: 50nA typical
- Noise-free 16-bit output signal
- Internal temperature measurement and signal processing
- Fully-corrected digital output signal simplifying the system design
- Power supply rejection ratio of up to 90dB at 2V
Availability and Pricing
The ZSSC3036 is in full production and is available as die for wafer bonding. Die, samples and wafers are available from ZMDI.
For 10,000 pieces, the ZSSC3036 is priced at EUR 0.77 per unit or USD 1.04 per unit.